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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZARMSTRONG, Lil(b Lillian Hardin, 3 February 1898, Memphis TN; d 27 August 1971, Chicago) Piano, singer, leader. To Chicago '17; own band '20; played with King Oliver on and off '21-4. She married Oliver's second cornettist, Louis Armstrong, '24 and with her formal training she understood what an unusually fine musician Louis was and urged him to strike out on his own. Led her own Chicago band while Louis was with Fletcher Henderson; then to NYC and both returned to Chicago; he worked in her band '25. She served as his manager, his first pianist and often co-composer; she played on his Hot Five and Hot Seven discs '25-7. She toured with Freddie Keppard, gained a degree and a teacher's diploma in music; separated from Louis '31 (divorced '38). She led all-girl and all-male bands, did radio broadcasts, appeared solo in revues; was house pianist at Decca late '30s. Mostly solo from '40s; had long residencies at clubs in Chicago, Milwaukee; toured Europe and worked in Paris '52. She continued playing dates in midwest USA and Canada but despaired of ever being promoted as male musicians were. She died during a memorial concert for Louis. |